Collage Play with Crowabout ~ Week #52

Collage Play with Crowabout is an exercise that truly stretches your creativity and gives your muse a workout. This week the collage sheet from Nancy B.of Crowabout was filled with wonderful images that I was immediately drawn to, and yet it took a while to formulate an idea or a direction for my collage. Even then, the collage you see pictured above is not at all the one I began...there were many changes along the way.

If you haven't yet visited the Collage Play with Crowabout blog, you really must do so. There is an abundance of inspiration and fun waiting for you there.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Collage Play with Crowabout ~ Week #51

This week's collage sheet at Collage Play with Crowabout was the nudge I needed to get my Halloween juices flowing. I have been in a state of denial regarding the end of summer and therefore none too anxious to begin creating Halloween inspired art. But the wonderful collage images that Nancy B.of Crowabout supplied in this week's challenge certainly made me more receptive to the chill in the air that is approaching and all the fun and beauty that the Fall brings.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

"Mix It Up with Melange" Challenge ~ NAUGHTY

It wasn't much of a stretch for me to find an image to use in a NAUGHTY collage for the "Mix it Up" challenge. More than a few of my lovely vintage ladies might be referenced as such.

Please stop by the Melange Team blog and join in on the "Mix it Up" challenge....we'd love to see what inspires you.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

FABRIC ART COLLAGE ~ A Book Review

Fabric Art Collage by Rebekah Meier is a wonderful resource book with a wealth of over 40 mixed media techniques.

Divided into nine sections, this book is well-organized and reader-friendly. The full color photographs showcase not only finished projects and techniques, but also key steps along the way.

Beginning with the section entitled TOOLS AND SUPPLIES, Rebekah offers an extensive and thorough overview of a wide range of products including fabrics, paints, dyes, inks, adhesives, tools, accessories and more. There is truly something for everyone; Rebekah's vast experience with a wide array of products and materials is evident.

PAINTING AND STAMPING illustrates 13 techniques for adding design to fabric. Concise instructions are given for each technique.

Eight techniques for CREATING BASE MATERIAL show how to combine materials such as fusible web, paper, Lutradur (a non-woven translucent web) and more.

CREATING TEXTURE offers five methods, including needle-felting and machine stitchery, utilizing a wide variety of materials.

Sections entitled EMBELLISHMENTS and FIBERS AND HAND EMBROIDERY offer up ideas and approaches for adding extra “punch” to your fabric collages.

HOT TOOLS explains how using the Creative Textile Tool, an iron or a heat embossing tool can fuse, emboss or etch a variety of materials to be used in your collages.

Rebekah demonstrates DISTRESSING materials with tea, coffee, dye, ink and paint and she offers guidance in ASSEMBLING THE LAYERS. A focus on creating composition, balance and construction of the finished piece rounds out the techniques presented in this resource book.

Five different quilt projects are found at the close of Fabric Art Collage along with a gallery of 17 beautiful examples of mixed media/fabric projects. Finally, the materials referenced throughout the book are listed in the “resources section” with detailed source information.

The author suggests creating a “techniques swatch book” as you move through the book. I think this is a wonderful idea and would make for a handy reference.

Fabric Art Collage will be a “go to” resource when you are looking to master a new technique for use in your mixed media projects. The techniques range from the simple to the more complex, thereby satisfying the novice or the experienced artist.

This book is available through C&T Publishing.

FaveCrafts is giving away a copy of this awesome book. Visit their site and enter every day, if you like, to increase your chance of winning. Contest ends September 8, 2009. Good luck!

Image © C&T Publishing

Collage Play with Crowabout #50 ~ A Celebration

This is a very special week at Collage Play with Crowabout. It is Week #50 and worthy of a celebration! Nancy B.of Crowabout has outdone herself offering three fabulous sheets for collage play. "Players" may submit up to three collages and in doing so be eligible for an awesome prize...a "seat" in Nancy's upcoming workshop. Well, say no more...I set to work...or shall I say "play."


The hardest collage to come up with was the third and for a while I thought perhaps I was stumped. And so I sat with the collage elements for a bit and slowly found a line from a song by "Stealer's Wheel," repeating in my head.

"Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right..."

Everything came together in the collage pictured below.


Special thanks to Nancy B. for the world of fun she offers up every week.

Collages available in my Etsy shop. **the great circus and beautiful dreamer SOLD**

song lyric © Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan
collages © Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ CAUTION

This week at Illustration Friday the prompt is CAUTION and I tried to think of a link between that word and my saucy ladies...PMS seemed to be the link. I chuckled to myself when I thought of "Caution: Entering PMS Zone." I hope it makes you chuckle, too.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

I've Been Stalked

But in a good way.

Violet from Etsy Stalker has selected my 'call your mother' collage as an 'off to college' item. What fun!

Etsy Stalker is a wonderful site where you can view hand-picked Etsy treats. I always find it fun discovering new Etsy sellers and I don't always have the time. So it's great when a site like Etsy Stalker comes along and does all the leg work for you.

Thanks, Violet!

Mixed Media Monday ~ STARS

I have had this quote inside my head for quite a while now.

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll land among the stars." ~ Les Brown.

When I saw that the prompt this week at Mixed Media Monday was STARS, I knew in an instant what my creation would be.

I encourage you to visit the Mixed Media Monday blog and view the wonderful creations inspired by this prompt.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Art Journaling by Somerset Studio

The wait is over...the newest issue of Art Journaling by Somerset Studio has arrived with my article right smack dab in the middle. Four pages...wow! The issue is entirely gorgeous; the most beautiful journal pages imaginable, with my dear friend Pam Carriker contributing TWO fabulous articles.

At this time last year I had never even considered the idea of keeping an art journal and now it has become an integral part of my artistic life. Isn't it ironic that the first "solo" article I have published should be centered around art journaling. I am ever grateful to Pam for opening my eyes to this creative outlet...art for my own enjoyment...just for me.



© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ WRAPPED

For this week's Illustration Friday prompt, my very first thought was that of being WRAPPED up safely in someone's arms. And whose arms are safer than Mom's? My boys are growing up, too quickly for me, and only one still cuddles with me on a regular basis. And I know that those days are numbered. It will be among the things I miss most.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Collage Play with Crowabout #49

Collage Play with Crowabout is aptly named. This week Nancy B.of Crowabout provided another delicious collage sheet and yet I didn't immediately have an idea or direction for my collage. So with the elements printed in a variety of sizes I simply began to "play." I cut out and arranged the elements until I found a story to tell. What a wonderful way to while away the afternoon...in collage play.

Collage available in my Etsy shop. **SOLD**

© Nancy Lefko

Mixed Media Monday ~ BLUE & GREEN and "Mix it Up With Melange" Challenge ~ USE YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE

Busy as this summer has become, I find it necessary to be fastidious with time management...therefore I have created one piece of art to answer the calls of two challenges this week.

This mixed media piece is my response to the BLUE & GREEN prompt from Mixed Media Monday and the USE YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE IN YOUR ART prompt from Mix It Up with Melange. The quote reads, "Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark."

I encourage you to visit the challenge blogs and take part in the fun or at the very least look at all the wonderful art submitted by participants.

This collage is available in my Etsy shop.

**Note** I am honored that this piece was chosen as "Art of the Week" at Mixed Media Monday. Thank you, Gillian.

© Nancy Lefko

Thank You, Diana

Look at this beautiful blog award !! It was given to me by the ultra-talented, kind and generous artist Diana Evans. Diana has created this blog award for all of the bloggers whom she visits each morning with her cup of coffee. I have "known" Diana since the inception of my blog and she has always been there with a supportive word of praise and a happy comment. Her blog is a treat for the eyes and leaves me wondering where this amazing lady finds the time for all she does !! Diana also hosts the Daily Art Stop which is another fabulous blog to peruse.

Thank you, Diana, not only for the lovely award but for the magic you create.

Image © Diana Evans

Updated Workshop Promo Video

My Painted Fabric Collage Workshop is ongoing over at Creative Workshops. This "new and improved" promo video gives you a taste of what the workshop is all about. This workshop consists of three lessons with video and downloadable pdf lessons which can be printed to save. The workshop is open-ended and can be taken at one's own pace.

Come on over to Creative Workshops if you haven't already and see the wealth of classes available there.

WEEKEND SALE-Participating Melange Members

The Melange Team Members at Etsy are happy to announce our first team sale event. From August 7-9th we will be offering 15% off all shop purchases, excluding shipping. The refund will be made to your PayPal account upon notification of payment from the buyer. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? To see a list of participating members, visit my Etsy shop announcement.